If there’s one question that an automotive journalist hates more than “You get paid for that?!” it’s “What’s the best car?” And from this side of the fence, I’d rather be the doctor friend that has to look at every awful thing anyone who knows them wants diagnosed gratis than to be the guy that “misdiagnoses” someone into the wrong vehicle.

I mean really. How hard is it to say, “That’s gross. And malignant. And you’ve got to consort with a better grade of partner if you want that to stop happening.”? I mean, it’s not like you gave them the sore, you just told them that how terrible it was and, in all honesty, how much they deserved it.

No, in my case I will forever be viewed as the one who passed on some terrible, life-destroying plague that cannot ever be cured as the terms of the lease are quite strict and resale values aren’t where they were predicted they’d be, etc., if a single feature is found wanting or the slightest thing goes wonky.

If you want an expert opinion, they say, ask an expert. Well, as an expert, I say something different. Even I can see you clearly need ointment or something for that. Oh, right. Expert car stuff. That’ll take a little longer to explain…

In 1989 the Mazda MX-5 wowed the folks at the Chi-Town Auto Show. A small, light-weight roadster with minimal mechanical complexity, the Miata replaced the Triumph Spitfire as the small roaster to have. Today, there is still a solid following for the Miata which is why it is not shocking that Mazda is rumored to be taking the car to the next level in 2017.

There is a huge push for more environmentally friendly vehicles. As of right now, the Toyota Prius is the lead when folks talk about hybrids, but recently Toyota announced that the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is on its way.

Bentley fans have waited patiently to see if the rumors of a new 2015 Bentley are true. Well, it would appear that, not only are they true, the new version of the old standard will be better than ever. The new 2015 Bentley is touted to be the first super-premium crossover and, like other Bentleys, the SUV will offer extensive customization options.

The 2014 Toyota Corolla redefined what it was to drive this historically reliable vehicle; in 2016 Toyota promises to set the bar even higher. Rumors about the 2016 Toyota Corolla abound, filled with new features and a promise that the company excellence that has made this vehicle a staple for many mid-class drivers continues. Toyota says the new series will bring significant changes that provide more comfort, economic stability, and less environmental impact.

Instead of always trying to be ahead of the world on information and breaking news, sometimes it's better to take a deep breath and look back on what has already come to pass. In this next edition of our Haunted Highways series, we aim to do just that.

Every driver wants something different from his or her vehicle. Some motorists prize economy above all. Other value looks or status. And, for many car owners, performance is their passion. This is not simply speed, but the ability to accelerate quickly, turn corners sharply, and feel that exhilarating rush that comes from driving a nimble, ultra-responsive ride.

More often than not, if you are in a group of gearheads at a local car show, track, parking lot, driveway, wherever, you will inevitably hear the following: "Oh, they (meaning the parent company of the car in question) were so stupid for doing XYZ to our cars." Every 19-year-old with a set of keys and that insatiable itch to speed has thought that they were at, one point or another, smarter than the company that built the car they are driving.

When most people think of scenic driving, images of the Blue Ridge Parkway or Route 66 often come to mind. Many of the best spots may go unnoticed, however. A prime example is Scenic Highway 11, tucked into a cozy little corner of South Carolina. This 112-mile route offers some of the best camping, hiking, and picture-taking opportunities in the United States, with plenty of great shopping and dining venues only a short drive away.